Camera holder for use on a moving object

ABSTRACT

A camera holder includes a connecting device mounted to a moving object, such as a bicycle or a helmet of the rider. The connecting device includes a base having two opposite sides each having a groove laterally defined therein. A slider is connected with a camera and slidably mounted to the connecting device. The slider includes two opposite side each having a rail laterally extending therefrom and slidably received in a corresponding one of the two grooves in the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera holder, and more particularly to a camera holder for use on a moving object.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional camera holder for use on a bicycle in accordance with the prior art comprises hoop-like structure adapted to be mounted on a tube of the bicycle. A universal pivot seat is radially mounted to the hoop-like structure. A connector is mounted to a free end of the universal pivot seat and selectively wiggled relative to the pivot seat. A threaded rod centrally extends from the connector for being threadedly mounted into a bottom of the camera.

However, the conventional camera holder has no quick-release device such that it is very inconvenient when assembling or detaching the conventional camera holder for use on a bicycle.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional camera holder for use on a bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved camera holder for use on a moving object, which is easily assembled and disassembled.

To achieve the objective, camera holder in accordance with the present invention comprises a connecting device mounted to a moving object, such as a bicycle or a helmet of the rider. The connecting device includes a base having two opposite sides each having a groove laterally defined therein. A slider is connected with a camera and slidably mounted to the connecting device. The slider includes two opposite side each having a rail laterally extending therefrom and slidably received in a corresponding one of the two grooves in the base. The base has a resilient arm extending therefrom and a buckle extending from the resilient arm. The buckle is selectively inserted into a bottom of the slider to holding the slider in place. Consequently, the user can easily and quickly detach the camera with the slider from the connecting device by pressing a free end of the resilient arm to make the buckle disengaged from the bottom of the slider when finishing taking pictures or filming.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a camera holder for use on a moving object in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera holder for use on a moving object in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are continually operational view of the camera holder in FIG. 2 when being mounted to a tube of a bicycle;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the camera holder of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of a second embodiment of the camera holder in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the camera holder in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera holder for use on a moving object in accordance with the present invention comprises connecting device (1) adapted to be mounted on a tube of the moving object, such as a bicycle or a helmet of the rider, and a slider (2) selectively slidably mounted on the connecting device (1).

The connecting device (1) includes a connecting seat (12) and a base (11) selectively pivotally mounted on a top of the connecting seat (12). The connecting seat (12) has a C-shaped hoop (122) and a passage (120) transversely defined therein for allowing a tube (30) moving within the connecting seat (12), as shown in FIG. 4. A curved groove (121) is defined in a distal end on the top of the connecting seat (12) and formed with a toothed bottom. The passage (120) includes an upper side having a tongue (123) extending therefrom and a lower side having a lever (124) pivotally mounted thereon, wherein the tongue (123) and the lever (124) correspond to each other. The tongue (123) includes a series of grooves (1231) defined in a top side thereof, wherein the series of grooves (1231) is parallel with an axis of the connecting seat (12). A loop (125) is pivotally connected to two opposite side of the lever (124) and the top of the loop (125) is securely and selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves (1234) to make the connecting seat (12) securely clamping the tube (30) for holding the camera holder in place when the lever (124) is pulled opposite to the tongue (123). A C-shaped cushion (126) is mounted within the C-shaped hoop (122) and a C-shaped lining (127) is mounted within the C-shaped cushion (126) for promoting the connection between the connecting seat (12) and the tube (30). The C-shaped cushion (126) and the C-shaped lining (127) are selectively used relative to a diameter of the tube (30).

The base (11) has two opposite sides each having a groove (111) laterally defined therein and corresponding to each other. A protrusion (112) downward extends from the base (11) and movably received in the curved groove (121) for limiting the rotate range of the base (11). A resilient arm (113) extends from the base (11) and has a buckle (114) extending from the resilient arm (113). The buckle (114) is selectively inserted into a bottom of the slider (2) for holding the slider (2) in place.

The slider (2) has a longitudinal groove (22) defined therein and extending therethrough. The slider (2) has two opposite sides each having a rail (23) laterally extending therefrom and respectively slidably received in a corresponding one of the two grooves (111) in the base (11) such that slider (2) is selectively slidable relative to the base (11). A locking member (21) extends through the longitudinal groove (22) and is moved within the longitudinal groove (22). The locking member (21) is adapted to be connected to the camera. A threaded portion (211) is formed on a free end of the locking member (21) for threadedly connected to the camera.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7 that show assembling processes of the camera holder in accordance with the present invention, the loop (125) is detached from the tongue (125), as shown in FIG. 3. The tube (30) of the bicycle is laterally moved to be transversely received in the lining (127), as shown in FIG. 4. It is relative to the diameter of the tube (30) whether the cushion (126) and the lining (127) are used. The lever (124) is pulled toward the tongue (123) to make the tongue (123) extending through the loop (125), as shown in FIG. 5. The loop (125) is engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves (1231) and the two opposite sides of the passage (120) are approached to slightly reduce inner diameters of the cushion (126) and lining (127) for securely holding the tube (30) when the lever (124) is pulled opposite to the tongue (123) again, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 that show a second embodiment of the camera holder in accordance with the present invention, wherein the connecting seat (12) hereinbefore is modified, in this embodiment, the connecting seat (13) is mounted to a helmet of the rider. The connecting seat (13) has a first connector (131) adapted to be detachably mounted on the helmet. A tunnel (1311) is defined in the first connector (131) and a strap (133) has a first end securely connected to the first connector (131). A second end of the strap (133) is formed with a hook and loop structure (134). When mounting the connecting seat (13). The hook and loop structure (134) sequentially coils the casing of the helmet, passes through the tunnel (1311) and is adhered to a back of the strap (133). The connecting seat (13) includes a second connector (132) mounted to the first connector (131) via a linkage (1321) and provided to mount the base (11) thereon. The base (11) is pivotally mounted to the second connector (132) and the second connector (132) has a curved groove (not number) defined to receive the protrusion (112) of the base (11) for limiting a rotate range of the base (11). As described in the first embodiment of the present invention, the slider (2) is slidably mounted to the base (11).

When using the camera holder in accordance with the present invention, the connecting device (1) and the slider (2) are respectively previously connected to the tube/helmet and the camera. Then, the slider (2) with the camera is slidably mounted to the connecting device (1) and the slider (2) is positioned after the buckle (114) inserted into the bottom of the slider (2). Consequently, the rider can begin to take pictures or film during riding. The user can easily and quickly detach the camera with the slider (2) from the connecting device (1) by pressing a free end of the resilient arm (113) to make the buckle (114) disengaged from the bottom of the slider (2) when finishing taking pictures or filming.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A camera holder comprising: a connecting device adapted to be mounted to an moving object, the connecting device including a base having two opposite sides each having a groove laterally defined therein; and a slider adapted to be connected with a camera and slidably mounted to the connecting device, the slider including two opposite side each having a rail laterally extending therefrom and slidably received in a corresponding one of the two grooves in the base.
 2. The camera holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider includes a longitudinal groove defined therein and extending therethrough, a locking member extending through the longitudinal groove and moved within the longitudinal groove, the locking member having a threaded portion formed on a free end thereof, the threaded portion adapted to be threadedly connected with the camera.
 3. The camera holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base includes a resilient arm extending therefrom and a buckle extending from the resilient arm, the buckle selectively inserted into a bottom of the slider to hold the slider in place such that the user can easily detach the slider from the base by pressing the resilient arm to make the buckle disengaged from the bottom of the slider.
 4. The camera holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base includes a resilient arm extending therefrom and a buckle extending from the resilient arm, the buckle selectively inserted into a bottom of the slider to hold the slider in place such that the user can easily detach the slider from the base by pressing the resilient arm to make the buckle disengaged from the bottom of the slider.
 5. The camera holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a C-shaped hoop formed with the connecting seat and having a passage transversely defined therein, the passage adapted to allow a tube of the moving object moved within the connecting seat, the passage including an upper side having a tongue extending therefrom and a lower side having a lever pivotally mounted thereon, the tongue and the lever corresponding to each other, the tongue including a series of grooves defined in a top side thereof, wherein the series of grooves is parallel with an axis of the connecting seat; a curved groove defined in a distal end on the top of the connecting seat and formed with a toothed bottom, the curved provided to receive a protrusion, that extends from the base, for limiting a rotate range of the base relative to the connecting seat; and a loop pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the lever and the top of the loop securely and selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves to make the connecting securely clamping the tube for holding the camera holder in place when the lever is pulled opposite to the tongue.
 6. The camera holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a C-shaped hoop formed with the connecting seat and having a passage transversely defined therein, the passage adapted to allow a tube of the moving object moved within the connecting seat, the passage including an upper side having a tongue extending therefrom and a lower side having a lever pivotally mounted thereon, the tongue and the lever corresponding to each other, the tongue including a series of grooves defined in a top side thereof, wherein the series of grooves is parallel with an axis of the connecting seat; a curved groove defined in a distal end on the top of the connecting seat and formed with a toothed bottom, the curved provided to receive a protrusion, that extends from the base, for limiting a rotate range of the base relative to the connecting seat; and a loop pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the lever and the top of the loop securely and selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves to make the connecting securely clamping the tube for holding the camera holder in place when the lever is pulled opposite to the tongue.
 7. The camera holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a C-shaped hoop formed with the connecting seat and having a passage transversely defined therein, the passage adapted to allow a tube of the moving object moved within the connecting seat, the passage including an upper side having a tongue extending therefrom and a lower side having a lever pivotally mounted thereon, the tongue and the lever corresponding to each other, the tongue including a series of grooves defined in a top side thereof, wherein the series of grooves is parallel with an axis of the connecting seat; a curved groove defined in a distal end on the top of the connecting seat and formed with a toothed bottom, the curved provided to receive a protrusion, that extends from the base, for limiting a rotate range of the base relative to the connecting seat; and a loop pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the lever and the top of the loop securely and selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves to make the connecting securely clamping the tube for holding the camera holder in place when the lever is pulled opposite to the tongue.
 8. The camera holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a C-shaped hoop formed with the connecting seat and having a passage transversely defined therein, the passage adapted to allow a tube of the moving object moved within the connecting seat, the passage including an upper side having a tongue extending therefrom and a lower side having a lever pivotally mounted thereon, the tongue and the lever corresponding to each other, the tongue including a series of grooves defined in a top side thereof, wherein the series of grooves is parallel with an axis of the connecting seat; a curved groove defined in a distal end on the top of the connecting seat and formed with a toothed bottom, the curved provided to receive a protrusion, that extends from the base, for limiting a rotate range of the base relative to the connecting seat; and a loop pivotally connected to two opposite sides of the lever and the top of the loop securely and selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the series of grooves to make the connecting securely clamping the tube for holding the camera holder in place when the lever is pulled opposite to the tongue.
 9. The camera holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a first connector adapted to be detachably mounted on a helmet and having a tunnel defined in the first connector; a strap having a first end securely connected to the first connector and a second end formed with a hook and loop structure such that the hook and loop structure sequentially coils the helmet, passes through the tunnel and adheres to a back of the strap when mounted the connecting seat to the helmet; and a second connector connected to the first connector via a linkage and pivotally mounted to the base, the second connector having a curved groove defined to receive the protrusion of the base for limiting a rotate range of the base.
 10. The camera holder as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a first connector adapted to be detachably mounted on a helmet and having a tunnel defined in the first connector; a strap having a first end securely connected to the first connector and a second end formed with a hook and loop structure such that the hook and loop structure sequentially coils the helmet, passes through the tunnel and adheres to a back of the strap when mounted the connecting seat to the helmet; and a second connector connected to the first connector via a linkage and pivotally mounted to the base, the second connector having a curved groove defined to receive the protrusion of the base for limiting a rotate range of the base.
 11. The camera holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a first connector adapted to be detachably mounted on a helmet and having a tunnel defined in the first connector; a strap having a first end securely connected to the first connector and a second end formed with a hook and loop structure such that the hook and loop structure sequentially coils the helmet, passes through the tunnel and adheres to a back of the strap when mounted the connecting seat to the helmet; and a second connector connected to the first connector via a linkage and pivotally mounted to the base, the second connector having a curved groove defined to receive the protrusion of the base for limiting a rotate range of the base.
 12. The camera holder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting seat pivotally connected to the base opposite to the slider, the connecting seat including: a first connector adapted to be detachably mounted on a helmet and having a tunnel defined in the first connector; a strap having a first end securely connected to the first connector and a second end formed with a hook and loop structure such that the hook and loop structure sequentially coils the helmet, passes through the tunnel and adheres to a back of the strap when mounted the connecting seat to the helmet; and a second connector connected to the first connector via a linkage and pivotally mounted to the base, the second connector having a curved groove defined to receive the protrusion of the base for limiting a rotate range of the base.
 13. The camera holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting seat includes a C-shaped cushion mounted within the C-shaped hoop and a C-shaped lining mounted within the C-shaped cushion, the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining adapted for promoting the connection between the connecting seat and the tube, wherein the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining are selectively used relative to a diameter of the tube.
 14. The camera holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connecting seat includes a C-shaped cushion mounted within the C-shaped hoop and a C-shaped lining mounted within the C-shaped cushion, the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining adapted for promoting the connection between the connecting seat and the tube, wherein the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining are selectively used relative to a diameter of the tube.
 15. The camera holder as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connecting seat includes a C-shaped cushion mounted within the C-shaped hoop and a C-shaped lining mounted within the C-shaped cushion, the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining adapted for promoting the connection between the connecting seat and the tube, wherein the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining are selectively used relative to a diameter of the tube.
 16. The camera holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the connecting seat includes a C-shaped cushion mounted within the C-shaped hoop and a C-shaped lining mounted within the C-shaped cushion, the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining adapted for promoting the connection between the connecting seat and the tube, wherein the C-shaped cushion and the C-shaped lining are selectively used relative to a diameter of the tube. 